Bulls Pile Into Gold and Tech While Bears Circle Payments
By Steve Strazza
February 13, 2026
This note highlights a select group of stocks showing the most unusual — and highly directional — options activity.
The goal is simple: follow the big money and trade in the direction of the underlying trend.
Here is the list of Unusual Options activity from February 13:
*Click to enlarge view
Newmont Corporation $NEM — With gold hovering near record highs, miners are back in focus as institutional money rotates into metals.
A trader paid above the ask for 1,000 contracts of the 7/17 $145 calls, deploying roughly $986K in premium — a clear vote of confidence that NEM has further upside.
Cloudflare Inc $NET — After delivering a strong quarter and raising full-year guidance, bullish flow followed.
A buyer stepped into 2,000 contracts of the 4/17 $270 calls, betting on a meaningful extension higher from the current ~$195 level.
Visa Inc $V — Payment networks are facing rising headwinds, from antitrust scrutiny to competitive pressures.
One trader positioned bearishly, buying 370 contracts of the 2/27 $307.50 puts, a near-term bet that downside persists into month-end.
